Estimating radial velocity of fixed beds with low tube-to-particle diameter ratios

The Ergun equation based on the effective spherical diameter is universally valid for various shapes of granular packings. It, however, was derived from the assumption of infinite tube-to-particle diameter ratio without considering the wall effect. Although some improvements were made by Mehta and Hawley (1969) to correct this, the application of the Ergun equation is still restricted to cylindrical columns with a packing porosity of less than 0.5. To modify the Ergun equation to noncylindrical flow space with or without a wall, it was substituted into the empty tube pressure drop equation by introducing an effective tube diameter so that the pressure drop can be predicted just from the free flow space and the wetted area involved This treatment offers the basis for a new method in velocity distribution prediction.